Greg,

>The biggest limitation I'm seeing now is that it makes it incredibly difficult to make reusable ASP.NET modules that contain forms.
>

ASP.NET is definitely NOT as limiting as you make it out to be.

>
>But how can I have my web poll self-contained in my right panel using .NET if my body may also have a .NET form for editing an article, collecting user information, etc? The answer is, I can't.
>

You can't if you use an html form, but self contained modules that you drop onto any page can be used in ASP.NET. That is the whole idea behind the IBuySpy and Community Starter Kit sample applications: reusable modules. The whole interface is web based so you can modify pages and change layout on the fly. CSK even has skin templates.

>I have a hard time wrapping my brain around how Microsoft's designers were willing to live with this limitation. As it stands I think I'm going to be better off sticking with ASP. Am I missing an obvious solution to doing what I want in ASP.NET?
>

UserControls and Web Controls do what you want. User Controls can be loaded dynamically. Events fire on postback that allow you to control everything.